How I started with my Brother PE770

My embroidery machine is a Brother PE770.  Why did I choose that particular machine?  Well mainly, because I didn't have a clue what I was doing so I went to the pro, google.   I came across machines that cost as much as a used car.  That was out.  I needed an affordable machine for a crafter.  Brother machines constantly came up.   The Brother 400 has a 4x4 hoop.  When I drew a 4x4 box on a piece of paper and held it up to a shirt, I knew that size hoop wouldn't work.   Any machine with only a 4x4 hoop was crossed off the list for me.   The 400 machine is embroidery and sewing combined.  I can't sew, not a lick, not even a straight line.  My mother was a professional seamstress.  She made some GORGEOUS items but didn't pass that creative gene my way.   If you just want to embroider, stick to an embroidery machine.  The next machine up was the 770.   The PE770 is strictly an embroidery machine.  It has a 5x7 hoop with the option to use a smaller hoop and abigger hoop.    I decided on this machine because it was a little under $500 on sale, had a bigger workspace with the 5x7 hoop and is the #1 beginner machine. 

The exciting day finally arrived.  My machine was delivered.  I was worse than a kid in a candy store with excitement.  I took it all out of the box, I looked everything over and put it all right back in the box.  I was instantly overwhelmed with it all.  What was I thinking, I can't sew.  This machine was much more than a simple sewing machine.  There is no way I can use this thing.  So it sat.....and it sat some more.  I heard laughter from that box, I heard taunts from that box, I heard lonely cries from that box.  It terrified me in every way possible.  After about 3 weeks, I finally decided to tackle this machine head on.   I started to research and came upon terms like polyester thread, rayon thread, 90 wt thread, stabilizer, applique, duckbill scissors, schmetz needles, organ needles, blah blah blah.  What??? I just want to sit down and do a simple monogram.  What is all this stuff?  The reality set in.  It isn't as simple as I thought.  So now what?  There was a huge problem.  I had NO thread so I couldn't do anything.